Former BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has come out in support of veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami, who is out of international cricket since the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final. Ganguly said that considering his recent performances, he still sees the senior fast bowler as a valuable option for India in all formats.
Shami is making a powerful statement with his performance on the field. In the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the experienced fast bowler has been consistently picking up wickets and using every outing to remind the selectors of his importance. He took four wickets for Bengal against Haryana on Monday, 8 December.
Hope the selectors are keeping an eye on Mohammed Shami’s performance – Sourav Ganguly
Sourav Ganguly questioned why Mohammed Shami is being kept out of the national team despite his form and experience. Ganguly urged the selection committee to take a close look at the veteran player’s recent domestic performances. He said that Shami still has a lot to offer in all formats.
“I hope the selectors are keeping an eye on Shami’s performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. I hope there will be proper communication between the selectors and Shami,” Ganguly said.
“If you ask me in terms of fitness and skill, I really don’t see any reason why he can’t play Test matches, one-day cricket and T20Is for India because his skill set is huge,” he said.
Mohammed Shami’s future for India remains uncertain
Mohammed Shami’s place in the Indian team is uncertain after undergoing ankle surgery after the 2023 World Cup. He recovered after surgery, but persistent injuries prevented him from returning to the team.
The right-arm fast bowler was considered for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, but was not selected. He returned to the team during the Champions Trophy 2025, where he took nine wickets in five matches. However, he has not played for India since then.
The 35-year-old may not have many years left in him, but he still has the skill and experience to help the team. With Jasprit Bumrah being managed carefully and Mohammed Siraj needing more support, Shami can still play a key role in the pace attack.
Debate intensifies regarding Mohammed Shami’s absence, former players raise questions on selectors
The debate over Mohammed Shami’s absence from the Indian team has intensified and many former players are raising questions on the selectors. Harbhajan Singh expressed surprise that a proven match-winner was being ignored while less experienced bowlers were being given priority.
He argued that India’s strength has always come from a mix of new talent and experienced artists. Singh said that by leaving out a player of Shami’s calibre, the team risks weakening its bowling depth in key white-ball matches.
As more voices echo similar concerns, Shami’s omission has become part of a wider conversation about how selectors evaluate form, experience and domestic performances. It will be interesting to see whether the current approach affects India’s long-term balance and competitiveness.
Also Read: BCCI confirms list of 350 players for IPL 2026 mini-auction; Big foreign names added late
